Daylong series of talks about how Islamic art was defined and received in both European and American museum and academic contexts in the 19th and 20th centuries. In conjunction with Doris Duke's Shangri La, an exhibit of ceramics, textiles, paintings, tile panels, architectural elements, photographs, and drawings by Islamic artists from tobacco heiress Duke's extensive collection.
9 a.m.-5 p.m., UMMA Auditorium, 525 S. State. Free. 764-0395. [map]

This is a special time to be alive - the New Age is upon us and change is in the air. Don't you want to focus on connection rather than isolation? How will you build your connections and communities? Are they strong and resilient multicultural and interfaith networks, or suffering from boundaries and limits? Join us as we host Mother Clare Watts from Santa Fe, NM for a special weekend intensive. Mother Clare is a Christian Master Teacher (equivalent of a Guru in Eastern traditions) with a powerful and beautiful vision of our future as one family. Come ask your questions and learn what to expect and how to prepare. Full Weekend Intensive (Fri, Sat, Sun) $135 includes Guided Meditations, Mystical Communion, Classes, and brunch Saturday and Sunday. $60 for Saturday.
Center of Light, 200 Huronview Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. 734-330-5048. revselena@centersoflight.organnarbor.centersoflight.org [map]

Fun and Learning Music Studio is providing a free group music lesson once a month on Saturday mornings. It will be approximately 1 hour, starting promptly at 10am. This class is appropriate for 4 1/2 year olds to 7 year olds. One parent must be in attendance for the entire session. Snacks and drinks will be provided, questions about our curriculum, group and private lessons will be answered! We provide private instruction for piano and voice from age 5 to adult. Group lessons are a general music course with concentration on piano skills.Please RSVP to reserve a space for you and your child(ren). Email or call sandrat@childrensmusicacademy.org or call 734-417-1167
Fun and Learning Music Studio, 4115 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Free. 734-417-1167. sandratracey@funandlearningmusicstudio.comwww.childrensmusicacademy.org [map]

Feb. 1 & 15 and Mar. 8. One of the largest regular gatherings of RC racers in the country features off-road dirt-track racing for stock and modified model electric trucks and buggies. Awards for the top three finishers in each class. Spectators welcome. Food concessions.
10:30 a.m.-midnight, Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. Doors open at 8 a.m. Free admission. $16 to race. (517) 960-5252. [map]

Feb. 1 & 15. Led by WCPARC naturalist Shawn Severance. For kids ages 3-6, accompanied by a parent. Feb. 1: "Nature Detectives" includes a story about winter animals followed by a hike to look for animal signs. Feb. 15: "Winter Scavenger Hunt" includes a search for winter animals and a chance to paint a picture inspired by the adventure.
10:30 a.m.-noon, County Farm Park Field Operations Bldg., Platt Rd. entrance. Free; preregistration required. 971-6337, ext. 334.

Feb. 23 (2-3 p.m.):"Michigan Wolves: Past, Present, and Future." Naturalist and wolf advocate Dorothy McLeer presents a program on the comeback of wolves in Michigan, the issues that arise when people live near wolves, and what the future holds for wolves. Preregistration requested.

Mar. 22 (2-4 p.m.):"Spring Terrarium." Participants make a small, display-worthy ecosystem. Bring a glass container with a lid, between a quart and a gallon in size.

Mar. 29 (2-3:30 p.m.):"Harbinger Hike." A hike along Discovery Center trails to look signs of awakening animals, early sprouts, and perhaps a few unorthodox blooms.

Apr. 8 (10 a.m. & 2 p.m.):"Spring Break: Animal Tracks." All kids in grades K-6 invited to learn about animal track patterns, practice the art of tracking, and make a plaster cast track to take home.

Apr. 9 (10 a.m. & 2 p.m.):"Geocaching & Orienteering" All kids in grades K-6 invited to learn the basics of using a GPS unit and reading a compass, then try it on the trail. Participants should bring a few cheap trinkets to trade in geocaches.

Apr. 25 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.):"Arbor Day Treats." All invited to learn how to measure tree height, figure out how old a tree is, and identify some trees without their leaves. Also, treats made from trees. Prizes.

June 6 (10 a.m.):"Huron River Ecosystem." Prepare to get wet on a hike along the river to learn about the large and small inhabitants of its ecosystem.

June 7 (10 a.m.):"Amazing Amphibians." Display and discussion of live specimens of frogs, toads, and salamanders, followed by a hike to a pond to look for amphibians heading home from their breeding grounds.

Cracking eggs, hand-mixing, and seasoning is the way we like to teach a great meatball recipe and that's just what we'll do in this class. We'll also make a classic tomato sauce to go with our Spaghetti & Meatballs. We'd be remiss if we didn't include some sort of bread, so Focaccia with Rosemary & Parmesan is also on the menu. And a buttery, crunchy Orange Shortbread Cookie will complete the meal. We'll send home any leftovers (feel free to send a container) and a recipe packet. Full participation. Register online up to 48 hours in advance at www.annarborcooks.comThis class is a kids-only class and is for ages 8 and up.
Ann Arbor Cooks!, 5060 Jackson Road. $50/child. 734-645-1030. www.annarborcooks.com [map]

Come and enjoy an authentic Russian meal prepared by cooks from St. Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church and First Presbyterian Church. The evening will include a short presentation by Zhanna Skalitzky on her 2013 trip to Davydovo, where she visited the village's Orthodox Church and its summer camp for children with disabilities. Proceeds will help fund mission work in the village of Davydovo and the building fund for St. Vladimir.
First Presbyterian Church, 1432 Washtenaw Ave. $12 individual, $30 family. (RSVP) 734-662-4466. http://firstpresbyterian.org/content/russia-task-force [map]

The nation's premier intercollegiate competition of traditional Indian raas dance is an extremely lively affair featuring 8 dance teams from around the nation. The fast-paced, playful raas style originated in ancient times in the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat as part of the Navratri festival that honors Hindu goddesses. It involves rotating circles and changing geometric shapes of elaborately dressed male and female singing dancers who pepper the dance with flourishes and gesture with decorated rods known as dandias.6:30 p.m., Michigan Theater. Tickets $15 & $18 (students, $10). dandiadhamaka.com. [map]

Stand-up by this intense, self-deprecating comic whose routine covers everything from the information age to Leonard Cohen and is punctuated by bizarre riffs and angry diatribes that give the impression he's on the verge of coming unhinged.
7:30 p.m., Mix Studio Theater, 8 N. Washington, Ypsilanti. $7 in advance at brownpapertickets.com/event/552248, and at the door. sehllbell178@gmail.com, emergentarts.com. [map]